THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 68, 11 July 1914, Page 6

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

[Pan Pbem Association. 1 Wellington, July 11. The manifesto issued on the Bible-in-Schools movement by the Catholic Hierarchy of New Zealand is signed by Archbishop O'Shea, Bishops Grimes, Verdon and Cleary. The document begins by claiming that the Bill just introduced does not provide for a referendum at all, but really for a plebiscite, and is a question of special legislation for the special and exclusive sectarian benefit of one section of the popaiation at the common cost of all. Complaint is made that the Bill contains one side of the controversy only, and does not give an equal chance to opponents to put their schemes before the people. It also adversely criticises the ambiguous and bewildering form of reference in the Bill, where it is suggested the fundamental issue for the electors is, "Shall the system of public instruction, remain secular as at present." That the Bill begs the question, and assumes there is nothing to do but to determine what particular scheme of religious instruction shall be adopted. It is also urged that the Bill submists three highly complicated issues on which electors are not allowed to vote separately, and that these three in reality contain six issues, on each and every one of which it is claimed opinion in New Zealand is profoundly divided.

The manifesto criticises the issues in detail and asks amongst other things, what, precisely, does "supervision" of the reading by teachers mean?" In 1903, it is "pointed out, there was a conscienoe clause for teachers, and why not in 1914? Conscientious objectors amongst them must leave their -conscience outside or be driven from the service. It is claimed that a number of vital matters are concealed from the electors in the Bill's ballot paper or glossed oveT tkr ambiguous or fair seeming words; that the Government is to provide a State religion suited to one section, while no provision is made for the other section; that dissenters from this religion will derive no advantage, but have to pay taxes for it all the.same; that objecting teachers will be injuriously affected; and that an Irish proselytising conscienoe clause is embodied in the Bill. The manifesto concludes: "For reasons herein set forth we raise our voices in. solemn protest against the oppressive referendum bill at present before Parliament." , "